Grimmond sets personal goals ahead of WWT20

Sheneta Grimmond and West Indies Women Head Coach Henderson Springer
Sheneta Grimmond and West Indies Women Head Coach Henderson Springer

The newest addition to the West Indies Women’s T20 squad that is set to defend their Women’s World T20 at home, Sheneta Grimmond has set herself some personal goals which she plans to achieve in the tournament and introduce herself to the world.

At 20-years-old, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club all-rounder is set to become the latest in only a handful of female cricketers from Guyana to wear the maroon colours.

Speaking exclusively with Stabroek Sports, Grimmond said it felt “really great” to be  a member of the West Indies squad especially at the time when they are set to defend their title in front of their home crowd.

The opening batter said that “once given the chance to play,” it was her goal to achieve at least one half century in the tournament while with the ball, she is also aiming for a five-wicket haul.

As it relates to the chances of the Caribbean side making it two-in-two, Grimmond said: “We’ll retain this title with the setup we have because we have some real good players in this squad.”

The off-spinner began her cricket career by playing Windball in Primary School at a tender age. Her most memorable match with the bat was in the Cricket West Indies Regional Women’s U19 tournament where she stroked a fine half century against Trinidad and Tobago before tantalizing  the batters bowling four overs for four runs with three maidens.

Her best all round performance was against Jamaica where she took 4-28 and scored 24 runs.

Humbled by her selection, Grimmond said it was her support from her friends and family that assisted in her rise, thereby making it all the more reason for her to do her best and make them proud.  The former Central Corentyne Secondary School student, having already played against the Regional stars, will now have the chance to rub shoulders with the best in the Caribbean and play against the best in the world, something she said it feels as a great feeling.

She acknowledged that there would be no better feeling if she could make her debut at the National stadium which is set to host 11 matches this November.

“Playing in front a home crowd will be a little nervous because they all will look forward for greatness from you and things do happen,” Grimmond said.

The young talent has already begun her journey as she is currently with the West Indies women’s side in a training camp.

She said that she is looking to improve on “everything as far as I’m concerned,” while pointing out that she has already “learnt a few more things with the bat, the ball and fielding.”

The highlight for the all-rounder is to be able to play and get experience from her idol, the West Indies Women’s captain, Stephanie Taylor.

“She’s very humble, smart and intelligent as well and is always a fighter. She’ll fight to the end of the game even though her team is winning and I find her 100 percent positive.”

The Women’s World T20 is set for November 9-24 with matches shared across three venues including Guyana.